Tuesday, February 21, 2012

How I feel: I feel exhausted, a little frustrated, and eager to get things done. I'm getting weary of being pregnant, and I'm tired of being clumsy, unattractive, forgetful, and distracted. I know better than to think I'll get my life back right after the baby is born, so I'm trying to just take things one day at a time for now.

Maternity clothes: I really miss fun clothes and feeling put together. I'm tired of tee-shirts, maternity jeans, and ponytails. Next fall / winter I need to do some serious shopping and schedule a big girls' night out so I can feel like cute again!

Sleep: It's pretty terrible now. I can't get comfortable, I can't stay comfortable, I wake constantly to go to the bathroom, and I get up really sore and achy. It has just gotten really bad in the past week.

Best moment this month: Jim and I had a date night last week, and it was a lot of fun to go out for a simple dinner by ourselves.

Movement: He has had hiccups a little more lately, and he is getting big enough that I have felt limbs (or maybe a head?) pressing on me instead of just flutters. Last week the ultrasound showed that he weighed just over 4 pounds. Typically he should have weighed just over 3 at that point, so he's definitely measuring a little on the big side. (Anyone surprised?!)

Labor Signs: I've had some more Braxton Hicks, but last Monday at my ultrasound she could see that my cervix was stilled closed, so baby boy knows he's still got several weeks of growth on the inside.

Belly button in or out? SO out. :-)

What I miss: I miss being able to breathe!! Besides the pressure on the inside, my nose and ears are super congested, so I can't breathe through my nose or hear anything.

What I am looking forward to: Getting the nursery started and finished!!!! We have a gallon of paint, fabric for curtains, bedding still in packages, and a few decorations on their way in the mail. But as of now, the room is still a cluttered disaster. I'm dying to see order and organization that will make me feel like things are under control. I'm also very much looking forward to my mother-in-law arriving in another week and a half. She will be here for all of March and April, so I will have help with the kids during the final month before the baby comes and for a few weeks after he arrives. What a blessing!!

What I am NOT looking forward to: I'm dreading the final weeks of pregnancy. The last four to six weeks are absolute torture for me.

Milestones: I had to stop wearing my engagement ring several weeks ago, which made me so sad. I know that my wedding band will have to go before too much longer, and I really hate being super pregnant without a ring on my finger!

Weekly Wisdom: I know a girl who, on facebook, shared something she was looking forward to each week at the end of her pregnancy. I took this to the extreme and planned big things for each of the last six weeks. Each week I will have a party, girl's night out, date night, massage, or something else to look forward to instead of just surviving until the baby comes. Next week I've got a girl's night with my friend Rachel M., and a dinner party to celebrate the baby with a few friends from church. I can't wait!!

Here is a photo of our countdown paper chain. I did this for Brennan when I was pregnant with Cora, and I felt like it helped him to understand so much better. We have special events like Grandma's arrival, Brennan's birthday, Grandma's birthday, Easter, and a few other special things in brown, so in addition to counting down to the baby, it is easy to see when Brennan has a fun, big event coming up.